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Forces at Work

Forces at Work

Written by: Forces at Work
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Forces at Work is the podcast that tackles your toughest workplace challenges and delivers practical advice to help you work smarter. Hosted by organizational psychologists (and longtime friends) Jake Tuber and Katharine Smith, each episode dives into topics like sham performance improvement plans, cringe-worthy hiring practices, awkward performance reviews, and more. Get ready to learn, gain fresh insights, and rethink the way you approach work.Forces at Work Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • I'm Doing My Manager's Job
    Jan 28 2025

     Edgar is a product manager at a large tech company. For the last six months, he’s essentially been doing his manager's job, in addition to his own.

    They’ll be in meetings and the manager will say things to like, “Edgar, I'm so glad you're here because I'm not good at leading this.” The prospect of continuing to carry the team is daunting. How can Edgar change their situation?

    Need some advice from Kate and Jake? Email ⁠⁠forcesatworkpod@gmail.com⁠⁠.

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠Katharine Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist and career performance coach at Mountain Valley Coaching…but she’s still learning how to use a microphone.

    ⁠⁠Jake Tuber⁠⁠⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, psychology professor, and Principal at Ticonderoga Advisory. He is not funny.

    For 25% off Inside Tracker, go to⁠⁠ ⁠⁠insidetracker.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code forcesatwork at checkout.

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    36 mins
  • The Britney Spears Effect
    Jan 21 2025

    Lisa is CMO at a manufacturing company. She took over a small marketing department about 15 months ago, and was able to hire some new folks, but one of them turned out to be extremely toxic. Eventually he resigned, but after he left, he started a campaign to undermine her. He did weird things like people on her team, telling them to be careful with her. The whole experience drained her and her team is still recovering. How can she restore a more positive culture with her team, and not make the same mistake?

    Need some advice from Kate and Jake? Email ⁠⁠forcesatworkpod@gmail.com⁠⁠.

    ⁠⁠⁠Katharine Smith⁠⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist and career performance coach at Mountain Valley Coaching…but she’s still learning how to use a microphone.

    ⁠Jake Tuber⁠⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, psychology professor, and Principal at Ticonderoga Advisory. He is not funny.

    For 25% off Inside Tracker, go to⁠ ⁠⁠insidetracker.com⁠⁠⁠ and use the code forcesatwork at checkout.

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    27 mins
  • I'm Three Months Into A Startup. Can I Quit Yet?
    Jan 14 2025

    Brendan is the Director of Product Development at a tech company. He's only three months into the job... but he thinks he made a big mistake. He's been shut out of certain discussions as a result of asking really questions about the product. There's some remote chance the company succeeds, but he doesn't know if he wants to stick around to find out. How soon is too soon to leave a job without it looking like a black mark?

    Need some advice from Kate and Jake? Email ⁠⁠forcesatworkpod@gmail.com⁠⁠.

    ⁠⁠Katharine Smith⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist and career performance coach at Mountain Valley Coaching…but she’s still learning how to use a microphone.

    Jake Tuber⁠⁠ is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, psychology professor, and Principal at Ticonderoga Advisory. He is not funny.

    For 25% off Inside Tracker, go to ⁠⁠insidetracker.com⁠⁠ and use the code forcesatwork at checkout.

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    23 mins
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